Pity Ron Black. He’s really nice guy. Some say too nice. His players love him. Management, not so much. Ron’s been around along time. You see a lot in 34 years of coaching. When he managed the Bokors he steered the club to first place and a playoff appearance. When the club was quickly shown […]
Alejándro is a typical 12 year old Cuban boy. The infinite energy of youth propels him into the nearest hard scrabble game of stickball where his team often prevails. When the sun steals away behind rain clouds he spends his time firmly planted on the dining room floor amidst a sprawl of books of Greek […]
Welcome to an informal look at the scenes behind the Havana Leones 2024 draft warroom. Going into the draft, based upon OOTP’s evaluation of overall team strength , here’s how the club sized up against the league: Pos Overall C 13th 1B 10th 2B 21st 3B 7th SS 17th LF 12th CF 20th RF 10th […]
It all began in 2016. Presidents Barack Obama and Raúl Castro sat together in the stands in Havana’s Estadio Latinoamericano exchanging pleasantries; signaling the renewal of relations between their estranged nations. As Cuba stood poised on the doorstep of its amazing economic transformation a different path was unwinding before the citizens of San Juan. Across […]
Jimmy Durante was funny. Larry Schultz wasn’t. That’s why ‘Schnozzola’ is a legend and ’Schnozz’ is a Trendsetter. After posting posted his best numbers ever as a PEBA pitcher the former Leones pitcher found himself a new home in New Orleans. Ironically, “Ragtime Jimmy” got an early start with the Original New Orleans Jazz Band. […]
“Your face, my thane, is as a book where men May read strange matters.” ― William Shakespeare, Macbeth Humans are visual beings primarily. We see patterns in all kinds of things from clouds to toasted bread. It is through patterns that our minds can best organize numeric data into meaningful information. Chernoff faces are a […]
The club put forth an impressive spring effort, posting the top record in the division. While it may be cause for some hope, the regular season is a different beast. The bullpen is noticeably improved and there is good potential at 2B. The rest of the club is pretty much as it was. If the […]
It never snows in Havana. The 2022 PEBA Winter meetings have come and gone with nothing left under Havana’s tree. Rumor was the club tried to piece together a number of deals and put top players and even the clubs first draft pick on the table without any takers. At one point the club was […]
It’s the biggest crap shoot in the Cuban capitol since the Mafia days of Meyer Lansky. The Havana Leones announced today that they signed 30 year old SP Jose Durango to a multi year deal worth about $15 million annually. Insiders say the deal is 2-4 years. In a brief statement, ownership said: “We’re delighted […]
21 Mar, 2022 Ernesto de la Torriente, La Bola Rápida “Cigar?” Offered the leader. Appearing strangely at home, wearing his military ball cap and simple fatigues while seated in the luxurious leather chair. “Yes please. Thank you El Indio.” “Fine fine. Gentlemen, welcome to our little club. We are the Sociedad de American Baseball Revolucionarios. […]